Compressor regulator



Aug. .3 1926. 1,594,986

F. VAN D. LoNsAcR:

COMPRESSOR REGULATOR Filed Fp. 5, 1926 4' ,1? E I INVENTO I Patented Aug. 3, 1926.

UNITED stares rarest Fries.

FREDERICK VAN DUZER LONGAGRE, OF YONKERS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO INGER- SOIL-RAND COMPANY, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

Application filed February lhis invention relates to compressor regulators for step by step control. The objects of the invention are to avoid the necessity of separate clearance valves for the compressor by making the compressor valves also perform the functions of clearance valves. In this way more space is available for compressor valves, heretofore occupied by the clearance valves, though clearance chambers also occupy less space and can be more compactly and conveniently arranged and the cost is cheapened.

Another object of the invention is to obviate the necessity of rendering any of the compressor valves inoperative when a clearance chamber is brought into communication with the cylinder, thus avoiding wear on the compressor valves. In my system the-compressor valves continue to function as usual at all times.

Further objects of the invention will appear and the invention is shown in one of, its preferred forms in the accompanying drawing, which is a diagrammatic view partly in longitudinal elevation of a compressonand clearance control applied both to the inlet and discharge valves, showing stepby step regulation.

The compressor valves may be of any suitable type, but are shown in this instance like the valve coveredby my United States Patent No. 1,550,376, granted August 28, 1925. The regulator for controlling. the valves to obtain step by step. unloading and loading is illustrated diagrammatically and may be like that. covered by United States Patent No. 1,480,578, granted October 3, 1292 to C. W. Metzganto which I have permission to refer.

Referring to the drawings,.the compressor cylinder A is here shown double acting and has the usual piston 13 driven from any suitable motor or engine (not shown). The invention is, however, obviously equally applicable to any compressor, pump or the like, whether single or double acting, simple, duplex or compound. 7

The inlet valves C and discharge valves D control the flow of pressure fluid to and from thecompressor as usual from the inlet E, which forms part of the external inlet passage F, to the discharge outlet G, which forms part of the external discharge passage H, and it is to be understood that the word external defines the passages as external COMPRESSOR REGULATOR.

5, 1926. Serial No. 86,302

to the cylinder compression space. The receiver G is adapted to be connected to the discharge pi as G. The cylinder has the usual heads and K, and is conveniently provided with the clearance chambers L, O, P and Q, havingmeans of communication with the cylinder through the respective openings at, S, T and U and the compressor valve openings V, lV, X and Y in the cylinder'walls as shown.

The inlet and discharge valves U and D are bodily movable or adjustable relatively to their respective valve openings V, W, l. and Y, either by hand if desired but preferably by automatic fluid actuated means shown as plungers a in chambers 79, opposed by springs a, which chambers are adapted to be connected by pipes 1, 2, 3 and 4 to the automatic regulator casing d of the regulator Z, constructed and operating like that shown in the Metzgar .Patent No;1,430,578 referred to.

A. certain convenient portion or member of each compressor valve is arranged to control the clearance chamber openings and take the place of independent clearance valves, and in this instance portions 6 of the valve seats are prolonged to form circular flanges cooperating with the clearance chamber openings R, S, T and U, to open and out off said clearance chambers in accordance with the movements or adjustments of the compressor valves in the cylinder openings.

lVhen pressure is released'behind one of the valve plungers a, the spring 0 lifts the valve structure bodily from the cylinder opening, and at the same time places a clearance chamber .in communication with the cylinder for a step of unloading, without however, altering the function of the compressor valve, which continues to operate on its seat, More volume is added to the cylinder but the operation of the compressor valve is not affected. The compressor valves are constantly maintained operative and are not rendered at any time inoperative, which is a distinct and important advantage since there is no interference with their action, multiplicity of parts is greatly reduced, but one set of valves is necessary, and replacement of valves is simplified.

The movable discharge valve structures are preferably guided as units in cages 7" formed separately from the caps or cover plates 9 and the bolts h clamp the valve parts together. The springs c are held between the flanged heads j and the cages f, while the plungers a. are separate members. The parts are packed as shown at those points at which leakage mi 'ht occur.

The inlet valve structures are substantially like the discharge valve structures, except as to the shape and form of the cages k which form guides, and the covers 0, but the functions of the corresponding parts are the same.

The regulator Z comprises a casing p connected by a pipe 9 to the receiver and a branch pipe supplies receiver pressure to the case (5 adapted to contain the valve mechanism which automatically and successive ly supplies pressure fluid to the pipes l, 2, 3 and 4 leading to the compressor valve operating plungers to maintain the valve structures in normal inwardly seated positions, or opens said pipes successively to atmosphere. The lever a" pivoted at a isactuated by the pin ii in accordance with variations in receiver pressure above a predetermined min um, and the valve stem u of a pilot or auxiliary valve pivotally hung on said lever 9 controls the operation of the regulater. The movement of the lever 1" is limited by the stops o and w and checked by the spring 00, all as shown in the aforesaid Met-zgar Patent No. 1,430,578.

In the operation of the apparatus, let it is assumed that all the compressor valve structures are adjusted inwardly and seated on their seats in the cylinder openings, so that the compressor is running under full load. All the pipes 1, 2, 3 and 4 are supplied with receiver pressure and the plungers a of the compressor valves are forced inwardly in the chambers or cylinders b.

In the position ot the parts shown in the figure, one compressor discharge valve D, and its parts, ias been raised from its seat in the opening V for the first step of unloading, indicating that there has been an increase of receiver pressure suiiicient to cause the regulator Z to operate. The lever 1" has been raised a given distance by receiver pressure and the pipe 1 has been opened to atmosphere so that plunger a of said discharge valve D has been relieved of pressure and the spring 0 has retracted the compressor valve as shown, thus opening the clearance chamber L and reducing the compressor load one quarter. The successive steps occur in the same manner to unload and load the compressor.

IV hat I claim is 1. In a compressor, the combination of a cylinder and piston, a fluid passage external to the cylinder, a clearance chamber,

both bein ada Jted to communicate with the cy inder, and a compressor valve controlling said means of communication of both the external passage and clearance chamber with the cylinder.

In a compressor, the combination of a cylinder and piston, a fluid passage external to the cylinder, a clearance chamber, both having means o1 communication with the cylinder, a compressor valve controlling communication between the said external passage and the cylinder, and means tormine; a part of said valve controlling communication between the clearance chamber and the cylinder.

In compressor the combination of acylinder and piston, a fluid passage external to the cylinder, a clearance chamber, both bein adapted to communicate with the cylinder, and a compressor valve controlling said means of communication of both the external passage and clearance chamber with the cylinder while maintaining the compressor valve at all times operative.

In a compressor, the combination of a cylinder and piston, a fluid passage external to the cylinder, a clearance chamber, Zoth having means or" communication with the cylinder, a compressor valve controlling coma. unication between the said external passa 'e and the cylinder, and means form; ing a part of said valve controlling communication between the clearance chamber and the cylinder without rendering the compressor valve at any time inoperative.

5. In a compressor, the combination of a cylinder and piston, a clearance chamber, a constantly operative compressor valve, and an adjustable valve member for the compressor valve controlling the clearance chamber. whereby adjustment of the said 7 valve member unloads the compressor without rendering the compressor valve inoperative. v

6. In a variable volume compressor, the combination of clearance chambers, and

compressor valves controlling both the low 01"? fluid and the said clearance'chambers. for unloading and loading the compressor step by step. i V

7. In a variable volume compressor, the combination of clearance chambers, and

compressor valves controlling both the, flow of fluid and the' said clearance chambers, for unloading; and loading the compressor step by step without rendering" the compressor valves inoperative. V

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

FREDERICK VAN nUzsRLoNoAoRn. 

